An innovative three-step procedure for the synthesis of linear phased arrays with nonuniformly spaced elements is presented. The main objective is to obtain an array with a minimal number of elements and an optimal efficiency of the amplifiers driving the elements. The procedure consists of three steps. First of all, a periodic array with a single-amplitude tapering and as much phase tapering as there are required shaped patterns is derived. Then, starting from the results of the first step, an equiamplitude nonperiodic array, with a number of phase tapering equal to the number of required patterns and with a minimum number of radiators is synthesized. Finally, a numerical optimization permits refining the results so as to satisfy the design constraints.

In this paper an innovative procedure for the synthesis of linear non periodic phased arrays for SAR applications is presented. The main objective consists in minimizing the number of elements while optimizing the efficiency of the amplifiers. The procedure is implemented in three steps. Preliminary results are presented demonstrating that a reduction in the number of elements in the order of 20-30% with respect to existing conventional antennas may be achieved without sacrificing the performances.